Commanders' wide receiver is among NFL's most overlooked rookies
· Yahoo Sports
The Washington Commanders had six picks in the 2026 NFL Draft, and they used their lone third-round pick to select Clemson wide receiver Antonio Williams after selecting Ohio State linebacker Sonny Styles with the No. 7 overall pick.
Williams wasn't on most analysts' radar to go to Washington, but Adam Peters knew he needed to add fresh talent to the wide receiver room, and Williams was the best available receiver when the Commanders selected him. He's not Brandon Aiyuk, he's not Stefon Diggs, he's not Tyreek Hill, but he is a capable receiver, and Washington believes he can make an immediate impact.
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A recent Bleacher Report article named eight rookies who are the most overlooked in 2026, and Williams was one of them.
As camp approaches, the buzz surrounding the Washington Commanders' receiving corps continues to be centered around their potential interest in San Francisco 49ers receiver Brandon Aiyuk—who, at this point, remains on the 49ers' roster.
However, Washington might already have its new No. 2 receiver in third-round rookie Antonio Williams.
The Clemson product averaged 11.2 yards per catch in college and scored 15 touchdowns over the last two seasons. He's a quick (4.41-second 40-yard dash) and shifty pass-catcher who can create after the catch, and he could regularly create mismatches alongside Terry McLaurin while working out of the slot.
Williams' fit with Washington is so good, in fact, that ESPN's Ben Solak recently named Williams a surprise candidate for Offensive Rookie of the Year:
"Williams has an opportunity that stacks up against many of his early-drafted contemporaries. There is hardly any competition in the Commanders' receivers room behind Terry McLaurin. Williams will catch passes from Jayden Daniels."
While Washington certainly won't hand Williams a starting role, the rookie is poised to earn it while regularly providing fans with camp highlights.
After Terry McLaurin, the other starting receiver roles are wide open for the Commanders. There is a mix of veteran players and young players, and if you look at the players in the room, Williams is unquestionably one of the most talented. He needs some development to reach the next level of his game so he can compete in the NFL effectively, but under the tutelage of David Blough and Bobby Engram, it shouldn't take long for him to get there.
The Commanders desperately need someone to step up and be a distraction on offense, someone who can take the attention off McLaurin and force defenses to spread out. Williams has the potential to be that player, and he could be a primary reason why Washington doesn't sign a veteran wideout before training camp.
As long as Williams performs as expected in training camp, it wouldn't be surprising if the Commanders don't add anyone else. However, if he doesn't perform up to expectations, the Commanders still have cap space to sign another receiver if they see fit.
This article originally appeared on Commanders Wire: Commanders' wide receiver is among NFL's most overlooked rookies